He is in search of incarnations of a great tradition dating back to the founding days of the great state of Wisconsin in the late 1600's.
Having been blessed with an abundance of lakes and a mighty river left here by THE Glacier, Wisconsin overflowed with fish. Scaly, squirmy, delicious fish.
Of course, the many native tribes of our state knew the health and taste benefits of frying fish in egg yolks and semolina, a grain derivative similar to flour, prior to any white man's arrival.
Hearing of such great fried, piscine treasures just south of the Great Lake Gichigami, Frenchmen Jean Nicolet had to investigate. After a grueling journey from France to Quebec and being the first European to cross Lake Michigan, he reached shore near present day Lambeau Field. First thing he did was order Packer season tickets (he was number 382 on the wait list). Second thing he did was look for a fish fry...incidentally he discovered most of Wisconsin in the process.
As more immigrants arrived, especially those whose Catholic religion forbade meat other than fish on Friday's, the tradition blossomed. However, once the Catholics got a load of their Scandinavian Protestent neighbor's lutefisk and lefsa (skip to 2:00) they were all, "Ew. Lets fry the shit of these fish, dig up some potatoes, and slaw some cole; whatever we do it's got to be better than this". Apparently, the Papists had some great chefs and thus began a strong Wisconsin tradition.
This new tradition needed an anchor, a base, a platform to launch Wisconsin into the weekend; enter the Supper Club. Back in the day, a "member" of the "club" would pay to rent a locker to keep his alcohol of choice (brandy/whiskey) and to keep a standing reservation. While it sounds high falutin', these supper clubs enabled the middle and working classes to sample the High Life on a budget.
With your limited budget, this blog will guide you to the awesome, average and abominable places for the great end-of-the-work-week celebration known as Friday Fish Fry. (Mainly in the La Crosse region). Join me as I consume uncomfortable quantities of cod, walleye and bluegill while swilling Brandy Old Fashioned's and enjoy the fellowship of friends and family for your Fish Fry felicity.
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